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Secularism is the principle of separating religion from civic affairs and government. In the context of education, it means that public schools operate independently of religious institutions and doctrines. This approach is meant to ensure neutrality and inclusivity for students of various religious backgrounds.

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Secularism in Secular Public Education

Secularism is the principle of separating religion from civic affairs and government. In the context of education, it means that public schools operate independently of religious institutions and doctrines. This approach is meant to ensure neutrality and inclusivity for students of various religious backgrounds.

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How Secular Public Education Teaches Secularism

  1. Neutrality in Religious Matters: Public schools are mandated to be neutral in matters of religion. This neutrality often translates into avoiding religious discussions or perspectives in the curriculum, aiming to create an inclusive environment for students of all or no religious backgrounds. In fact, there is no ‘neutrality’ in knowledge and understanding.  To be ‘neutral’ denotes a ‘faith’ in nothing which is antithetical to God’s truth.

  2. Focus on Scientific and Humanistic Perspectives: The curriculum in public schools tends to emphasize scientific explanations and humanistic perspectives, and does not include religious or spiritual teaching – such as that on ‘beginnings.’ This approach is intended to base education on evolving human centered scientific thought, which is most often based on humanistic assumptions and theories un-knowable from current data.   As such, secular and humanistic science is constantly ‘changing’ to fit either a research agenda or ‘new’ science.

 

Examples:

  • Science Education: In subjects like biology, the theory of evolution is taught without religious explanations for the origin of life. This leads students toward a world-view that ignores or severely limits God’s sovereignty and providential design.

  • Cultural Diversity: Cultural studies may include various world religions but approach them from a historical or sociological perspective rather than endorsing any religious beliefs.  Therefore, students grow up to view all religions as equal which is anathema to biblical truth regarding Christ as the only redeemer and savior.

  • Moral Education: Moral and ethical education is based on secular philosophies like utilitarianism or human rights, rather than Christian doctrines.  This at best confuses and misleads students over time.

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Secularism in Christian Education: Emphasis on Integrating Faith and Learning

In contrast to the secular approach of public education, Christian education integrates faith and learning. This integration means that religious beliefs and values are not just acknowledged but are central to the educational process.

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How Christian Education Addresses Secularism

  1. Faith-Based Curriculum: In Christian schools, curriculum content is developed with the intention of reflecting Christian beliefs and values. This approach contrasts with the secular framework of public education, seeking to provide a holistic education that includes spiritual development.

  2. Integration of Biblical Worldview: Subjects are taught through the lens of a biblical worldview. For instance:
    - Science: While scientific theories are taught, they are often discussed in the context of faith, considering how scientific knowledge and discoveries align with biblical teachings.
    -     History and Culture: These subjects are approached with an understanding of God's role in human history and an appreciation for how cultural diversity and historical events fit into a broader Christian narrative.
    - Moral Education: Moral and ethical instruction is directly tied to biblical teachings, emphasizing Christian values and principles.

  3. Acknowledging the Role of Religion in Society: Unlike secular public education, Christian education acknowledges the significant role of religion in personal and societal affairs. It encourages students to understand and engage with the world from a faith-informed perspective.

 

In summary, while secular public education is characterized by its neutral stance on religion and its emphasis on secular philosophies and scientific rationalism, Christian education actively integrates faith into all aspects of the curriculum. Furthermore, as discussed, neutrality is itself a myth and the effort to stand by it misleading.  This distinction underlies a fundamental difference in the approach to education, worldview formation, and moral and ethical instruction between secular public schools and Christian educational institutions.

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Source: Why Christian Education Secularism (1).pdf(Review) - Adobe cloud storage

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